Annual Construction Law Update

CCDC 32 introduces a progressive design-build framework that allows owners and design-builders to collaboratively develop project scope, budget, and schedule before committing to a final price. Through a two-phase structure with project gates and off-ramp provisions, this standardized contract addresses complex construction projects where requirements cannot be fully defined at the outset. How does this collaborative approach balance flexibility with cost certainty while reshaping traditional roles in const

In Alberta, private construction project participants enjoy the luxury of the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, RSA 2000, c P-26.4 (the "PPCLA")...

Despite repeated interest rate hikes over the past year, the real estate market in many major Canadian cities remains resilient, and construction of new housing continues to grow.

Alberta's Builders' Lien legislation has recently changed and been renamed to the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (the "Act").

In the recent case of 1951789 Alberta Ltd. v. Britannia Block General Partnership Inc.,[1] Applications Judge Farrington made the decision to release the alternate security paid into court...

The federal government launched the CECRA program to provide financial assistance to small businesses in respect of their commercial rent.

When a tenant defaults on rent, one of the remedies available to commercial landlords is that of terminating the lease and re-entering to take back possession.

On November 17, 2016, it was announced that Manitoba became a party to the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (the "NWPTA").

The Ontario Court of Appeal has clarified how construction lenders and contractors rank in priority disputes when a developer becomes insolvent.

Clark Wilson LLP showcases its latest legal insights and firm achievements, including guidance on property transfers between family members and recognition as the most-named firm on Business in Vancouver's Biggest Real Estate...

Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of September 14, 2026.

In a nutshell, the SPF 6 provides liability coverage for accidents involving so-called non-owned vehicles.

The Court of Appeal for Ontario issued several significant rulings during the week of May 25, 2026, addressing critical issues spanning professional regulation, defamation law, negligence liability, and commercial disputes. These decisions clarify important legal principles regarding costs awards against regulatory bodies, anti-SLAPP motion analysis, occupiers' duties to warn of hidden dangers, and enforcement of settlement agreements in various contexts.

The Ontario Court of Appeal released decisions for the week of June 15, 2026, addressing critical issues spanning employment compensation disputes, occupier liability and insurance deductions, international child custody matters, banking litigation costs, limitation periods in motor vehicle accidents, trust ownership disputes, offshore jurisdiction challenges, real estate development damages, and medical malpractice involving pediatric neurologists.

This comprehensive summary examines three significant civil appeals decided by the Court of Appeal for Ontario during the week of June 22, 2026, covering breach of contract damages and mitigation obligations, bankruptcy costs appeals, and property rights-of-way disputes. Each case presents distinct legal principles regarding summary judgment procedures, appellate jurisdiction in bankruptcy matters, and the interpretation of historical property access agreements.

The Ontario Court of Appeal issued four significant decisions addressing construction liens, labour picketing injunctions, and residential tenancy terminations. These rulings clarify holdback priority calculations under the Construction Act, establish when labour dispute notice requirements apply to secondary picketing, and reinforce mandatory disclosure obligations for landlord's own use evictions under the Residential Tenancies Act.

This comprehensive summary examines key civil decisions from the Ontario Court of Appeal for the week of June 29, 2026, covering critical legal questions spanning defamation privilege, refugee protection, life insurance contestability, limitation periods, and vexatious litigation orders.

The Ontario Court of Appeal issued several significant rulings during the week of June 8, 2026, addressing municipal licensing powers over short-term rentals, indigenous children's rights in child welfare systems, and the enforceability of domestic contracts in family law matters. These decisions clarify important legal principles regarding municipal jurisdiction, class action certification procedures, and the circumstances under which separation agreements can be set aside.

The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling that found provincial agricultural legislation unconstitutionally restricted freedom of expression. The decision examines whether regulations preventing animal rights activists from using false pretenses to access farms violate Charter rights, analyzing the balance between protecting agricultural operations and preserving investigative journalism about animal welfare.

On April 20, 2026, the Ontario government introduced Bill 105, known as the Protecting Ontario's Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (the "POWER Act"), for first reading.